Taking the Temper out of Steel ( To form a KNIFE)

Kamo demonstrates how to reduce the temper in a steel file. This makes the file malleable enough to be formed into a knife.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Survival knife
• tempering steel
• knife making
• steel files
• Kamo Kris
• Kamoyaker
• Kristopher Brischler
• survival skills
• bush craft
• fire making
• make it yourself

[smartman136]

Why would you want to remove the temper? I made a file knife without this process and it turned out fine

[Kamoyaker]

@smartman136 This was part of a process to hand make a knife from a file. Question: how did you form a knife with hardened steel? I did not use a grinder, only hand tools to form the knife ( hacksaw and files). Softening the steel annealing) makes it possible. I hardened the knife after I finished forming it.

[kerisx]

You put the old file into the fire for how long ? I think it's based on type of steel maybe leaf spring will take almost same time for file is it correct ?

[Kamoyaker]

Place the steel on the hot coals, stack some wood over it and let it burn out on its own. Takes a couple hours. Leaf spring can be done the same way.

[RevelationGJS]

if your using your wood stove the right way you shouldn't see any smoke coming out of your chimney,all the heat is going up in the air. Once a fire starts going good the damper shouldn't be open all the way,only half way.

[Sc0ttPrian]

best part, when he takes out the new file, and says "no im not going to make a knife out of this file" classic.

[TeamInferno81]

I am just wondering if i don't soften the steel do i just temper it after cutting out the shape of the knife or do I have to harden then temper?

[kertcobainSA]

i tried this. i made the fire.. stuck the file in.. and it got real how then slowly cooled.. but it got all bent.. i guess it was so hot it got soft and bent?

[tacokiller101]

@mrsyafi yeah

[smartman136]

@Kamoyaker i did use a grinder and the only problem is it takes a lot of time and percision to do it because if you slip then a couple days worth of work could be ruined in 10 seconds

[vince38curious2]

@emosplinter Once the steel/file has been heated to red hot and allowed to cool slowly It will be as soft as it will ever get. Then when you have shaped it into a knife you CAN reheat it to red hot and cool slowly 3 times to reduce any stress in the steel Then Reheat to RED HOT Non magnetic and quench in OIL to HARDEN about 60 HRC Then place in your oven at 350 Degrees C for 1 hour This will soften slightly to make it less brittle About 55 to 57 HRC for files.

[wolpack1116]

@mrsyafi Yes. I used a Mapp gas torch the same way. Handle holes drilled easy afterward.